FDI Investment into Latin America and the Caribbean – Challenges, Opportunities, and Miami as a Beacon for the ‘Other’ Transatlantic Relationship

THIS EACC Florida SEMINAR IS HELD AS PART OF THE OFFICIAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM OF TRANSPORT LOGISTICS, AIR CARGO & PROJECT CARGO AMERICAS AT THE MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

 Attendance of the trade show and conference program is free of charge but registration is required to enter the premises

As Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) navigate a complex landscape of economic opportunities and geopolitical shifts, foreign direct investment (FDI) remains a key driver of sustainable development.  Last year, FDI inflows into the region reached nearly $189 billion — a more than 7% increase from the prior year but only about 2.8% of LAC GDP, with a majority of FDI deriving from reinvested earnings of transnational companies in the region rather than greenfield investments.

This seminar will explore the evolving dynamics of FDI in LAC, examining the interplay between global economic trends, regional political shifts, and the strategic role of Miami as a hub for the LAC region. Miami’s position is underscored by its status as a gateway to Latin America, with about 46% of Florida’s exports directed to the region and hosting more than 1,000 corporations’ Latin American operations.

This session will provide actionable insights for investors, businesses and policymakers seeking to navigate a complex and evolving trade and business environment.

SPEAKERS

• Justen Ghwee, Director International Tax I Kaufman Rossin
• Jose Mallea, Managing Partner I Forward Global Miami
• Antonio Pena, Co-Chair Latin America Practice, Shareholder GT’s Miami office I Greenberg Traurig – MODERATOR
• Javier Yraola, Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami

DATE / TIME
Wednesday November 12, 2025
10.30PM-11.30PM

LOCATION
BLUE STAGE I transport logistics, air cargo & project cargo Americas
Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach – FL

REGISTRATION FEE
EACC Member: Free
Non-Members & Guests: Free

Registration to the trade show and conference program is free of charge but registration is required to enter the premises.

INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Justen GHWEE is a Director in Kaufman Rossin’s International Tax practice and is based in Miami.  He provides transfer pricing consulting with respect to cross-border intercompany goods, intangibles, services and financial transactions.As a Transfer Pricing Tax Advisor, Justen provides expert recommendations, consultancy, and direction on transfer pricing tax to US and non-US multinational corporations, financial institutions and partnerships. Justen has successfully defended companies in transfer pricing tax audit and examination by the IRS.  He has served as lead partner to multinational enterprises to negotiate and close bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with the IRS and non-US tax authorities.

Prior to joining Kaufman Rossin, Justen was a Tax Managing Director at a Big4 firm based in New York for 16+ years and an economic lecturer at the University of California – Davis.He received his Ph.D. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin and B.Commerce from Hitotsubashi University, Japan.

Jose MALLEA is the Managing Partner of Forward Global Miami, focused on addressing complex, high-stakes matters for Latin American and U.S. clients across industries and issue areas. Jose has served as the chief of staff to the mayors of both Miami and Miami Dade County, and has spent significant time in U.S. politics, working in the White House and State Department as part of the George W. Bush administration. In 2010, Jose was campaign manager for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first successful U.S. Senate campaign. Jose is also the founder of Biscayne Bay Brewing Company in Miami, a premiere independent craft brewery. Most recently, he served as the CEO of the Libre Initiative.

Antonio PENA, Co-Chair of the firm’s Latin America Practice and shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, leads the firm’s international associate program and has broad experience in the United States, Latin America, and Spain, representing strategic investors and private equity funds in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, SPAC deals, and other transactional matters. Antonio is recognized by the Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA) as one of Latin America’s leading business lawyers, by the Global M&A Network as one of the Top 50 Americas M&A Lawyers, and by The Legal 500 as one of the top U.S. lawyers working in Latin America. Antonio served as president of the Interamerican Chapter of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and has also held a number of board positions, including at the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce, the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Florida and United Way Miami.

He has been a recipient of multiple awards, including the 2022 Private M&A Deal of the Year Award in Latin America from Latin Lawyer magazine and the Latam Deal of the Year from Global M&A Network, both awards for his role as U.S. counsel in the Quinto Andar/Navent transaction, the 2021 Deal of the Year in Colombia by Transactional Track Record for his representation of Procaps, and the 2007 Private M&A Deal of the Year Award in Latin America from Latin Lawyer magazine for representing the consortium that acquired the business and assets of McDonald’s Corporation in 18 jurisdictions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Antonio has four law degrees from the United States, Mexico, and Spain and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. Prior to joining GT, he served as in-house counsel at one of the largest Mexican financial institutions and later served as acting general counsel for a joint venture between Mastercard and Telefónica operating in 13 jurisdictions in Latin America.

Javier YRAOLA is Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami since September 2024. Previously, he was Project Management Director in Invest in Spain-ICEX (Ministry of Economy), a post he took after several years at the Ministries of Economy, Finance and Foreign Affairs, where he held the positions of Director of Consumer Goods at ICEX, and Deputy Director General for Trade and Customs Affairs, among others. He has also served as Trade Commissioner of Spain in Chicago, Colombia and Central America.

About transport logistics, air cargo & project cargo Americas by Messe München

Messe München is one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers and presents the world of tomorrow at its around 90 international trade fairs around the world. transport logistic, air cargo and project cargo Americas will take place on November 11-13, 2025 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. 6,000+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors from all over the world are expected. They will explore new trends, innovations, and the future of the global supply chain. This is the only multimodal trade show & conference in the Americas for air cargo professionals, shippers, and logistics experts from all freight sectors and a must-attend event for industry leaders.